HC Deb 20 January 1992 vol 202 cc65-6W
Mr. David Porter

To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment if he will make a statement on the future of town and parish councils following his consultations on unitary authorities.

Mr. Key

We believe that parish and town councils merit further consideration, particularly in the light of the many suggestions for their role in a world of unitary authorities.

We have received the results of a survey by Aston university of the existing role of parish and town councils and will publish its final report shortly. We are commissioning further work which will provide a detailed picture of the organisation, management and resources of selected parish and town councils.

This research will feed into our deliberations on the future role of local councils, and we shall consider whether to produce a further consultation paper about it.

Mr. David Porter

To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment what representations he has received on the work and powers of parish and town councils for consideration in his consultation on unitary authorities.

Mr. Key

In response to our consultation paper "The Structure of Local Government in England" we received 1,106 representations mentioning the role and functions of parish and town councils. Copies of the responses have been placed in the House Library.